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MySQL VS MsSQL – Data Management Comparison

MySQL VS MsSQL

The two big hitters in the data management group are MySQL and MsSQL. Both excel when it comes to efficiently storing data, keeping this data organized, and making the stored data easily and readily available via numerous user interface programs. When making comparisons, these two heavy hitters in the data management world begin to show their differences. When attempting to determine which will work best for one’s on-line needs, there are several questions to keep in mind.

Flexibility

One of the first things to keep in mind when it comes to data management is how well the data can be accessed using different protocols. On the surface, both MsSQL and MySQL support all the major protocols needed to access databases. tSQL (Transact SQL) is a common protocol that contains a series of statements that programs are able to use to access data as well as create new tables within a database. The standard statements in tSQL allow users to insert, delete, and update records as well as many other functions.

ANSI SQL (American National Standards Institute) is the international standard for database programming languages. This institute has the deciding factor in such things as how the word ADD will work within the programming language as opposed to how the word INSERT will work.

It is within ANSI SQL that MySQL diverts from being on the same course as MsSQL. MySQL does not completely follow the ANSI SQL standard. While this normally causes no issues, when data begins to grow and a need to transfer or upgrade to MsSQL arises, programs that normally communicate with the MySQL database may need to be changed in order to accommodate for the switch.

With regards to the differences between how MySQL and MsSQL work within ANSI SQL standards, MySQL falls short in several areas:

  • Does not support Triggers
  • Does not support Stored Procedures
  • Does not have FULL JOIN capabilities
  • Limited Import and Export capabilities
  • Limited Transaction Support

MySQL is terrific at displaying, updating and resaving data but clearly does not support the full spectrum of features and capabilities that MsSQL does. This difference could make or break an on-line company that relies heavily on e-commerce.

Security

Data on-line needs to be secure. Securing private and crucial data from outside attacks is an ongoing and increasingly difficult task. How secure a database management system or program is must be taken into consideration by businesses planning on utilizing these programs on-line.

Both MySQL and MsSQL support security measures but in different ways. MySQL uses the SQL GRANT command which is limited to table level security granting. Very basically, this means if only some of the data stored within a table needs to be secure from specific individuals, the entire table must be rendered secured from that person or persons. On the other hand, MsSQL allows for security at the column level, allowing specific portions of data residing in a table to be secured from specific individuals all the while allow the remainder of the table to be viewable.

Support and Service

Where the two different data management programs can come together after a fashion is in support and service. Knowing that there is a company or system one can use should issues or questions come up is a plus.

Both MySQL and MsSQL offer support plans within their respective vendors. Free support as well as paid options and plans are available with both data management programs.

The only slight difference between the two is in the numbers of people employed to assist those in need. At last count, MySQL has approximately 100 employees worldwide and not all of these are staffed within the support section. MsSQL, as a Microsoft product, has a significantly larger support pool for customers to utilize.

Conclusion

When having to choose between MySQL and MsSQL, the choice narrows down to knowing how flexible the system must be, how secure, and how much support and service can be received for the data management system in question. While both management systems seem to be nearly identical on the surface, a bit of digging shows that MsSQL exceeds in all three categories.

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3 Responses to “MySQL VS MsSQL – Data Management Comparison”

  1. Chris says:

    I’m a bit surprised with your argumentation.

    Although there are differences between My and MS better arguments can be found.

    First at flexibility you argue that MySQL isn’t that usefull with ecommerce. Would you explain to me why amazon is using MySQL for it’s ecommerce back-end?

    Secondly the argument on security is not that strong. Another design will divert than issue.

    Support for MySQL and MS SQL is differentially organized. MYSQL being FOSS means that support is not only supplied from it’s own company. There is enough support for MySQL and a deeper knowledge of MySQL is at hand for it’s users.

    Conclusion:
    read at least:http://swik.net/MySQL/MySQL+vs+MS+SQL+Server
    for a less “fair and balanced” 😉 comparison

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  2. George Goble says:

    Did Microsoft actually pay to have this written?

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  3. Loled says:

    “read at least:http://swik.net/MySQL/MySQL+vs+MS+SQL+Server
    for a less “fair and balanced” 😉 comparison ”

    LOL MSSQL 2000 vs MySQL 5 comparison in 2011

    haha

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